7 Best Revenue Cycle Management Books to Read in 2024

Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) is the cornerstone of financial health for any healthcare organization. However, navigating the complex terrain of RCM can be challenging without the right resources.

To help you stay on top of your game, we've reviewed the top-rated books on RCM. We've used an empirical, data-driven approach, ranking these books based on their aggregated ratings. In case of a tie in the ratings, we've listed books in the order of highest to lowest number of reviews.

We’ve provided links for your convenience, but they aren’t affiliate links, and we receive no monetary compensation for featuring any of these books. Our sole aim is to provide you with a curated list of the top books in the field to help you deepen your understanding and enhance your practice in RCM.

The Top 7 Revenue Cycle Management Books

• Principles of Healthcare Reimbursement and Revenue Cycle Management
• Humanizing Revenue Cycle Management
• Reinventing Revenue Cycle Management
• Revenue Cycle Management Best Practices
• Rev Up!
• Hospital Reimbursement
• Revenue Cycle Management: Don't Get Lost In The Financial Maze

Best Revenue Cycle Management Books to Read

Principles of Healthcare Reimbursement and Revenue Cycle Management

By Anne B. Casto, RHIA, CCS and Susan White, PhD, RHIA, CHDA

Aggregated rating: 4.6/5 (109 reviews)

There are few texts as foundational to the field of Revenue Cycle Management as Anne Casto's "Principles of Healthcare Reimbursement and Revenue Cycle Management." Published by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), this book is the best-selling RCM book on Amazon, a testament to its enduring popularity and the high regard in which it is held by industry professionals.

Currently in its 7th edition, this seminal work has evolved and grown with the industry. What makes this book truly stand out is its comprehensive approach to RCM. It weaves together the complexities of healthcare reimbursement systems with the operational aspects of revenue cycle management. 

The inclusion of case studies, real-world examples, and thought-provoking questions makes it an invaluable resource. This approach not only ensures a deeper understanding of the subject but also provides you with practical insights into real-world applications of the theory.

Humanizing Revenue Cycle Management

By April E. Wilson and Somlynn Rorie

Aggregated rating: 4.6/5 (17 reviews)

“Humanizing Revenue Cycle Management” outlines an innovative approach that positions patient engagement at the heart of RCM, demonstrating that a successful revenue cycle cannot exist in isolation from the patient experience. This workbook is a valuable tool for any professional working in healthcare, particularly those involved in RCM. 

The authors expertly outline strategies for planning, implementing, and evaluating patient engagement processes within RCM, giving you a framework for developing practices that are responsive to patient needs and empowering for individuals managing their health. The book's unique combination of enlightening articles, practical tips, and workbook exercises makes it a dynamic and hands-on learning experience. 

You'll appreciate the practical value and commitment to putting a human face to the figures, scores, and analytics that dominate the healthcare revenue cycle. The workbook aspect provides a hands-on experience, which is refreshing in this digital age.
 

Reinventing Revenue Cycle Management

Aggregated rating: 4.6/5 (14 reviews)

This book addresses the fresh challenges confronting hospitals and providers in the wake of regulatory changes, technological advancements, and the shifting expectations of increasingly financially responsible patients. The authors acknowledge the growing competition among healthcare providers to attract and retain patients, and they offer an approach to patient engagement that begins well before the clinical encounter. 

The book advocates for RCM departments to actively engage patients to foster positive payment behaviors, thereby successfully intertwining the revenue cycle within the overall patient experience. You'll find lots of real-world examples and solutions to enhancing patient engagement. The authors encourage transparency about financial obligations, promote the removal of payment barriers through flexible options, and highlight the importance of user-friendly tools like online payment portals. There’s also an emphasis on designing billing statements that enhance the patient experience and satisfaction, ultimately leading to improved financial outcomes for healthcare organizations.

Revenue Cycle Management Best Practices

By Nadinia A. Davis, MBA, RHIA, CHDA, CCS, FAHIMA and Belinda M. Doyle, MSJ

Aggregated rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)

"Revenue Cycle Management Best Practices, Second Edition" is an indispensable resource for healthcare professionals and students seeking a comprehensive understanding of the revenue cycle management process. This book not only provides invaluable insights into the mechanics of the revenue cycle but also offers tangible strategies for improving the flow of revenue through an interdisciplinary approach.

It underscores the importance of moving away from isolated departmental management towards a more integrated approach, providing real-world examples of how this can lead to substantial improvements in revenue timelines. The content is rich and extensive, covering a broad spectrum of topics from revenue cycle basics to cost analysis, payer contracts, patient access, documentation and charge capture, record completion and coding, to claims management. A particularly noteworthy feature is the overview of how charges become revenue, which offers a clear and concise understanding of the conversion process.

Many online resources accompany the book, including sample forms, logs, questionnaires, policies, tracking tools, and supplementary AHIMA toolkits, white papers, and practice briefs. These practical tools enhance the learning experience and give you guidance for implementing best practices in real-world settings. The book is particularly tailored toward acute-care hospitals, offering insights from the perspective of the Health Information Management (HIM) department. 

Rev Up!: Bold and Disruptive Strategies to Rev Up! Your Revenue Cycle Hero's Journey

By Jayson Yardley

Aggregated rating: 4.4/5 (5 reviews)

In the realm of healthcare finance literature, "Rev Up!: Bold and Disruptive Strategies to Rev Up! Your Revenue Cycle Hero's Journey" stands out as an exceptionally engaging and insightful book. It approaches healthcare business and revenue cycle management as a heroic journey in which leaders are called upon to navigate an increasingly complex landscape of rising patient dissatisfaction, escalating bad debt, and uncollected patient payments.

Yardley acknowledges the growing influence of consumerism in healthcare, stressing that the totality of the clinical and financial experience determines patient satisfaction and loyalty. In response to these trends, he advocates for bold and disruptive strategies that not only optimize the financial experience for patients but also contribute to a healthier bottom line.

What sets "Rev Up!" apart is its unique narrative style. Yardley employs the universally resonant theme of 'The Hero's Journey' to infuse the book with a sense of purpose and transformation. Each chapter in "Rev Up!" tackles a different aspect of the revenue cycle, offering strategies to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities for differentiation in the Patient Financial Experience. 

Hospital Reimbursement

By Kyle Herbert, MBA, CPA, CMA, FACHE, FHFMA

Aggregated rating: 4.3/5 (6 reviews)

"Hospital Reimbursement: Concepts and Principles" is a comprehensive guide that provides a clear understanding of the complexities of the hospital reimbursement process, arguably the most intricate in any industry. The book assumes only a basic financial background and a fundamental knowledge of accounting, making it an accessible resource for anyone interested in the intricacies of the hospital revenue cycle.

One of the key strengths of this book is its ability to demystify technical aspects of reimbursement in a language that is easy to understand. It provides detailed insights into the Medicare and Medicaid financial models and explains the Medicaid reimbursement methodology, the formulation of the Medicare blend rate, as well as the computation of Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) and Indirect Medical Education (IME) adjustments. This makes it a comprehensive reference point for understanding third-party payers and the full range of services and procedures for which a hospital can receive reimbursement. The book also distinguishes between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals, offering insights into the different financial dynamics at play in these two types of institutions. 

Revenue Cycle Management: Don't Get Lost In The Financial Maze

By Shawntea Moheiser, CMPE, CMOM and Kem Tolliver, CMPE, CPC, CMOM

Aggregated rating: 4.0/5 (10 reviews)

This highly practical guide illuminates the complex dynamics of managing a medical practice's revenue cycle. Published by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), a reputable resource in the field, this book is an essential asset for anyone engaged in RCM.

It addresses the challenges of RCM head-on, offering proven solutions to optimize revenue cycle management and ensure your practice's financial health. One of the book's notable strengths is its ability to break down intricate financial management concepts into digestible parts, providing a comprehensive understanding of the process. 

This approach makes the book an ideal starting point for those new to the field, but it also serves as a valuable reference guide for experienced professionals seeking to reinforce their knowledge or stay abreast of the latest best practices. You’ll find solutions that can be immediately applied within a medical practice setting. This practical focus enhances the book's value, making it a business-critical resource for healthcare professionals aiming to optimize their revenue cycle.

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